Bollard Anchor System

ABSTRACT

An anchor system for anchoring a bollard. Some of the various embodiments of the present disclosure include a base and a rod. The rod is inserted into the ground to secure the rod to the ground. The base is connected to the rod to secure the base to the ground. The bollard is connected to the base to secure the bollard to the ground. Some other embodiments include the base, the rod, and/or a helical member, a nut, a washer, one or more prongs, and one or more set screws.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.17/474,910 filed on Sep. 14, 2021 which issues as U.S. Pat. No.11,408,137 on Aug. 9, 2022 (Docket No. TWIN-001). Each of theaforementioned patent applications is herein incorporated by referencein their entirety.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable to this application.

BACKGROUND

The described example embodiments in general relate to bollards formooring or protecting property from impact.

Generally, installing a bollard in new construction requires drilling ahole in the ground, placing the bollard in the hole, bracing the bollardto keep it plumb, then pouring concrete around the bollard. Installing abollard in existing concrete requires drilling a hole through theconcrete and into the ground, placing the bollard in the hole, bracingthe bollard to keep it plumb, then filling in around the bollard withconcrete. Existing techniques provide little or no room for adjustmentto the position of the bollard after the hole is drilled. Users andinstallers of bollards in new construction would benefit from an anchorthat is position prior to pouring concrete but that allows someflexibility in adjusting the position of the bollard when attached tothe anchor.

SUMMARY

Some of the various embodiments of the present disclosure relate to ananchor system for anchoring a bollard. Some of the various embodimentsof the present disclosure include a base and a rod. The rod is insertedinto the ground to secure the rod to the ground. The base is connectedto the rod to secure the base to the ground. The bollard is connected tothe base to secure the bollard to the ground. In some embodiments, theanchor includes the rod, the base and a helical member. The helicalmember is connected to the rod and facilitates boring the rod into theground to secure the rod to the ground. In some other embodiments, theanchor includes the base, the rod, a nut and a washer. The nut and thewasher are for securing the rod to the base to secure the base to theground. In some other embodiments, the anchor includes the base, the rodand one or more set screws. The one or more set screws are formaintaining the position of the base relative to the rod afteradjustment and/or leveling the base. The one or more set screws mayfurther couple the base to the rod to secure the base to the ground. Insome other embodiments, the base includes one or more prongs. The prongsare adapted to be surrounded by concrete to secure the base to theconcrete.

There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, some of the embodiments ofthe present disclosure in order that the detailed description thereofmay be better understood, and in order that the present contribution tothe art may be better appreciated. There are additional embodiments ofthat will be described hereinafter and that will form the subject matterof the claims appended hereto. In this respect, before explaining atleast one embodiment in detail, it is to be understood that the variousembodiments are not limited in its application to the details ofconstruction or to the arrangements of the components set forth in thefollowing description or illustrated in the drawings. Also, it is to beunderstood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are forthe purpose of the description and should not be regarded as limiting.

To better understand the nature and advantages of the presentdisclosure, reference should be made to the following description andthe accompanying figures. It is to be understood, however, that each ofthe figures is provided for the purpose of illustration only and is notintended as a definition of the limits of the scope of the presentdisclosure. Also, as a general rule, and unless it is evidence to thecontrary from the description, where elements in different FIGS. useidentical reference numbers, the elements are generally either identicalor at least similar in function or purpose.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a base and a rod of an anchor system inaccordance with an example embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a first side view of the base from a first perspective.

FIG. 3 is a second side view of the base from a second perspective.

FIG. 4 is a top view of the base.

FIG. 5 is a is a bottom view of the base.

FIG. 6 is a is a cross-section of the base as shown in the top view inFIG. 4 .

FIG. 7 is a side view of the rod.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the rod inserted into the ground.

FIG. 9 is a is a perspective view of the base over the rod.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the anchor system after the concretehas been poured.

FIG. 11 is a cross-section of the anchor as shown in FIG. 9 .

FIG. 12 is a cross-section of a first embodiment of connecting the rodto the base.

FIG. 13 is a cross-section of a second embodiment of connecting the rodto the base.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the bollard attached to the anchorsystem.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION A. Overview.

Some of the various embodiments of the present disclosure relate to ananchor system that is adapted to anchor a bollard 14. The anchor systemis further adapted to allow some adjustments to the position of thebollard 14 prior to and after pouring concrete 12 around the anchor.Some of the various embodiments of the present disclosure include a rod50 and a base 20.

The rod 50, as best shown in FIGS. 1, 7-9 and 11-13 , is adapted to beinserted (e.g., driven, forced) into the ground 10 to secure the rod 50to the ground 10. The upper portion 58 of the rod 50 is positioned aboveground 10 while a lower portion 59 of the rod 50 is positioned in theground 10 to secure the rod 50 to the ground 10. The base 20 includes anupper support, a lower support and a tube having a channel therethrough.The upper support 22 and the lower support 24 are connected to a tube 30and positioned a distance 28 apart from each other thereby leaving aspace 29 between the upper support 22 and the lower support 24.

After the rod 50 is inserted into the ground 10, as best shown in FIGS.8-9 and 11-13 , the base 20 is adapted to be raised over the upper end62 of the rod 50 and lowered so that the upper portion 58 of the rod 50enters the channel 34 of the tube 30 thereby positioning the rod 50 inthe tube 30. The base 20 is lowered until the lower support 24 of thebase 20 touches the ground 10 whereby the upper end 62 of the rod 50 isadapted to stick out of the upper end 32 of the tube 30. The base 20 andthe rod 50 are adapted to connect to each other thereby securing thebase 20 to the rod 50 and thereby to the ground 10.

In some example embodiments, as best shown in FIGS. 9-14 , the rod 50 isadapted to connect to the base 20 by placing a washer 56 around the rod50 so that the washer 56 rests on the upper end 32 of the tube 30. A nut54 is threadably connecting to the upper end 62 of the rod 50 andtightened until the nut 54 applies a downward force on the washer 56 andthe tube 30 to secure the base 20 to the rod 50 and to the ground 10. Inanother example embodiment, set screws 38 are adapted to be positionedin holes in the sides of the tube 30. The set screws 38 enter thechannel 34 to contact the upper portion 58 of the rod 50 therebysecuring the tube 30 to the rod 50 and the base 20 to the ground 10through the rod 50. In an example embodiment, the set screws 38 areadapted to position the base 20 with respect to the rod 50. In anotherexample embodiment, as best shown in FIG. 12 , the set screws 38 areadapted to level the base 20 with respect to the ground 10.

Once the rod 50 and the base 20 are secured to the ground 10, concrete12 is poured around the base 20 and into the space 29 between the uppersupport 22 and the lower support 24 of the base 20. The concrete 12hardens to further hold the base 20 in place. The upper surface of theupper support 22 of the base 20 is level with or positioned out of theupper surface of the concrete 12. The bollard 14 is positioned on theupper surface of the upper support 22 and connected to the upper support22. Since the area of the upper support 22 is greater than thecross-section diameter of the bollard 14, the position of the bollard 14may be adjusted with respect to the upper support 22 to better positionthe bollard 14 with respect to its surroundings.

Another example embodiment, as best shown in FIGS. 1-6, 9 and 11-13includes prongs 40. Prongs 40 are adapted to connect to the base 20.Generally, the prongs 40 are positioned below the upper surface of theupper support 22 and above the lower surface of the lower support 24.The prongs 40 may be positioned, at least partially, in the space 29between the upper support 22 and the lower support 24. The prongs 40 areadapted to be surrounded by the concrete 12, so the when the concrete 12hardens, the prongs 40 further secure the base 20 to the concrete 12.

In another example embodiment, as best seen in FIGS. 1, 7-9 and 11-13 ,the rod 50 includes a helical member 70 for boring the rod 50 into theground 10 to connect the rod 50 to the ground 10. The rod 50 may furtherinclude a grip 52 adapted to facilitate rotating the rod 50 to insertthe rod 50 into the ground 10.

B. Rod.

The anchor system of the present disclosure includes a rod 50. The rod50 (e.g., slender bar, staff, stick) may be inserted (e.g., pushed,driven, bored) into the ground 10. Inserting the rod 50 into the ground10 secures the rod 50 to the ground 10. An object (e.g., base 20) may besecured to the ground 10 by connecting the object to the rod 50 that issecured to the ground 10.

In an embodiment, a rod 50 includes an upper portion 58, the lowerportion 59, an upper end 62 and a lower end 64. The rod 50 is adapted tobe partially inserted into a ground 10 thereby positioning the upperportion 58 of the rod 50 above the ground 10 and the lower portion 59 ofthe rod 50 in the ground 10. The lower portion of the rod 50 is adaptedto secure the rod 50 to the ground 10. The lower portion 59 of the rod50 is adapted to secure the rod 50 to the ground 10 through friction orinterference between the ground 10 and the lower portion 59 of the rod50. The lower portion 59 of the rod 50 may include structures (e.g.,barbs, helical member) for increasing interference between the ground 10and the lower portion 59 of the rod 50 to better secure the rod 50 inthe ground 10.

The rod 50 may be formed of any material. Preferably, the rod 50 isformed of an inflexible and strong material capable of providingvertical and/or horizontal support while the rod 50 is secured in theground 10. In an embodiment, the rod is formed of metal. The rod 50,formed of metal and inserted into the ground 10, is secured to theground 10 and substantially immobile both vertically and horizontally.An object connected to the rod does not move in the vertical directionor the horizontal direction.

In an example embodiment, the rod 50 is a solid, metal rod having anoutside diameter in the range of one-half inch to one and a half inches,preferably ⅝ inches. In an example embodiment, a length of the rod 50 isin the range of 18 inches to 42 inches, preferably 24 inches. In anexample embodiment, the lower portion 59 of the rod 50 that ispositioned in the ground 10 is between ¼ and ¾, preferably ⅓, of thelength of the rod 50.

In an embodiment, as discussed further herein, the rod 50 may be rotatedto insert (e.g., bore) the rod 50 into the ground 10. The rod 50includes a grip 52 connected to or integrated into the rod 50 at or nearan upper end 62 of the rod 50. The grip 52 is adapted to facilitaterotating the rod 50 to bore the lower portion 59 of the rod 50 into theground 10. A grip 52 may include two or more flat sides (e.g., facets).The grip 52 may include six flat sides that form a hexagon. The two ormore flat sides facilitate removably coupling a tool (e.g., wrench,socket, drill) to the grip 52 to rotate the rod 50. The grip 52 may beseparate from the rod 50 and removably coupled to the rod 50.

In an example embodiment, the grip 52 comprises a nut 54 threadablyconnected to the rod 50 at or near the upper end 62 of the rod 50. In anexample embodiment, the nut 54 is adapted to threadably connect to therod 50 at or near the upper end 62 of the rod 50. In an exampleembodiment, the nut 54 has a hexagonal shape of a conventional nut. Thenut 54 is threadably connected to threads on the upper end 62 of the rod50. The threads are formed along only a portion of the upper portion 58of the rod 50. The nut 54 is threadably connected to the threads androtated clockwise until the nut 54 reaches the ends of the threads.While positioned at the end of the threads, the nut 54 can no longer berotated clockwise without rotating the rod 50, so the rod 50 may berotated for inserting the rod 50 into the ground 10 by attaching a toolto the nut 54 and rotating clockwise.

In an example embodiment, after the nut 54 has been used to rotate therod 50 to insert the rod 50 into the ground 10, the nut 54 may berotated counterclockwise to remove the nut 54 from the upper end 62 ofthe rod 50. As discussed in further detail herein, the nut 54 is furtheradapted to connect the rod 50 to the tube 30 of the base 20 to securethe rod 50 to the base 20. After the base 20 has been lowered over theupper portion 58 of the rod 50, the nut 54 may be threadably reconnectedto the upper end 62 of the rod 50 to connect the rod 50 to the tube 30.

In an example embodiment, the anchor system of the present disclosurecomprises the nut 54. The nut 54 is adapted to threadably connect to therod 50 at or near the upper end 62 of the rod 50 to connect the rod 50to the tube 30 thereby securing the base 20 to the ground 10. The anchorsystem of the present disclosure may further include the washer 56. Thewasher 56 is adapted to be positioned around the rod 50 between an upperend 32 of the tube 30 and the nut 54, wherein the nut 54 applies adownward force on the upper end 32 of the tube 30 via the washer 56 toconnect the rod 50 to the tube 30. The downward force connects the base20 to the rod 50 thereby securing the base 20 to the ground 10.

The lower end 64 of the rod 50 may be adapted to facilitate insertingthe rod 50 into the ground 10. In an example embodiment, the lower end64 is pointed (e.g., tapered) to facilitate inserting the rod 50 intothe ground 10.

The upper end 62 of the rod 50 may be adapted to receive a force toinsert (e.g., drive) the rod 50 into the ground 10. In an exampleembodiment, the upper end 62 of the rod 50 is suitable for being struckby a tool (e.g., hammer) to drive the rod 50 into the ground 10.

C. Helical Member.

The anchor system of the present disclosure may further include ahelical member 70 (e.g., twist, spiral). In an example embodiment, thehelical member 70 is connected to the rod 50 at or near the lower end 64of the rod 50. The helical member 70 is adapted to bore into the ground10 responsive to rotating the rod 50 to position the lower portion 59 ofthe rod 50 in the ground 10. In addition to boring into the ground 10,the helical member 70 is further adapted to secure the rod 50 to theground 10. The helical member 70 is further adapted to secure the rod 50to the ground 10 because helical member 70 is a structure that increasesinterference between the ground 10 in the lower portion 59 of the rod 50as discussed above.

In an example embodiment, the helical member 70 is connected to the rod50 at or near the lower end 64 of the rod 50. The helical member 70 isadapted to bore into the ground 10 responsive to rotating the rod 50 toposition the lower portion 59 of the rod 50 in the ground 10 and theupper portion 58 of the rod 50 above the ground 10.

In an example embodiment, the helical member 70 includes a cutting edge72. The cutting edge 72 is positioned on a leading-edge of the helicalmember 70 as the helical member 70 is rotated. The cutting edge 72 isadapted to cut through (e.g., part) the ground 10 to facilitate boringinto the ground 10.

The helical member 70 may be formed of any material suitable for boring.In an example embodiment, the helical member 70 is formed of metal andis welded to the rod 50 near the lower end 64 of the rod 50. The helicalmember 70 may be adapted to bore into the ground 10 while the rod 50 isrotated in a first direction (e.g., clockwise) and to facilitate exitingthe ground 10 while the rod 50 is rotated in a second direction oppositeto the first direction (e.g., counterclockwise).

D. Base.

The anchor system of the present disclosure includes a base 20. In anexample embodiment, the base 20 includes an upper support 22, a lowersupport 24, and a tube 30 having a channel 34 therethrough. The uppersupport 22 and the lower support 24 are connected to the tube 30 andpositioned the distance 28 apart from each other leaving a space 29therebetween. In an example embodiment, the tube 30 is positionedthrough a hole of the upper support 22 and through a hole in the lowersupport 24 such that the channel 34 of the tube 30 passes through theupper support 22 and the lower support 24. In an example embodiment, theupper support 22 and the lower support 24 are connected to the tube 30at or near a center of the upper support 22 and the lower support 24.

The tube 30, and in particular the channel 34 of the tube 30, is adaptedto be lowered over the upper portion 58 of the rod 50 while the rod 50is inserted into the ground 10. After lowering the tube 30 over theupper portion 58 of the rod 50, the upper portion 58 the rod 50 ispositioned in the channel 34 and the lower support 24 rests on theground 10. The rod 50 and the tube 30 are adapted to be connected toeach other to secure the base 20 to the rod 50 and thereby to the ground10. The upper support 22 is adapted to connect to the bollard 14.

Because the tube 30 is lowered over the upper portion 58 of the rod 50,the inner diameter 36 of the tube 30 is greater than the outer diameter68 of the rod 50. In an example embodiment that includes the grip 52integrated into the rod 50, as opposed to the nut 54 that can beunthreaded from the rod 50, the outer diameter of the grip 52 is lessthan the inner diameter 36 of the tube 30. In an example embodiment, theinner diameter 36 of the tube 30 is between 1 inch and 1⅛ inches, whilethe outer diameter 68 of the rod 50 is about ⅝ inches. In an exampleembodiment the outer diameter of the grip 52 is 15/16 inches. In anotherexample embodiment, the outer diameter 68 of the rod 50 is about ⅝inches, while the inner diameter 36 of the tube 30 about 2 inches.

A length of the tube 30 may be in the range of 12 inches to 36 inches.The length of the tube 30 is less than the length of the upper portion58 of the rod 50 that is positioned above the ground 10. In an exampleembodiment, the length of the tube 30 is slightly less than the upperportion 58 of the rod 50 that is positioned above the ground 10. Afterthe tube 30 is lowered over the upper portion 58 of the rod 50 and thelower support 24 rests on the ground 10, the upper end 62 of the rod 50sticks out of the tube 30 through the upper end 32. The amount the upperend 62 sticks out above the upper end 32 is sufficient to allow the nut54 and the washer 56 to be coupled to the upper portion 58 of the rod50. In an example embodiment, the upper end 62 of the rod 50 that sticksout of the upper end 32 of the tube 30 is threaded to permit the nut 54to be threadably coupled to the upper portion of the rod 50 to couplethe rod 50 to the tube 30.

The tube 30 may be formed of any material suitable for connecting to theupper support 22 and the lower support 24. The tube 30 may be of anyshape (e.g., round, square, rectangular, triangular). The upper support22 may be formed of any material and have any shape suitable forconnecting to the tube 30 and for connecting to the bollard 14. Thelower support 24 may be formed of any material and have any shapesuitable for connecting to the tube and for resting on the ground 10.

In an example embodiment, the tube 30 is a 1¼ inch×1¼ inch square metaltube that is between 8 and 16 inches in length. The thickness of thewalls of the tube 30 is in the range of 10 gauge to 18 gauge. The uppersupport 22 is a ½ inch-thick carbon steel or stainless-steel platebetween 12 inches and 16 inches in diameter. The lower support 24 is a⅜-inch-thick carbon steel plate in the shape of a square that is 12inches on a side. The tube 30 is positioned through a first hole throughthe center of the upper support 22 and through a second hole through thecenter of the lower support 24. The upper support 22 and the lowersupport 24 are welded to the tube around the perimeter of theirrespective holes to connect the tube 30 to the upper support 22 and thelower support 24. The channel 34 of the tube 30 passes through the uppersupport 22 and the lower support 24.

In an example embodiment, the height 26 of the base 20 is measured froma lower surface of the lower support 24 to an upper surface of the uppersupport 22. The upper support 22 is positioned apart from the lowersupport 24. The lower surface of the upper support 22 is positioned thedistance 28 from the upper surface of the lower support 24 therebyforming the space 29 between the upper support 22 and the lower support24. The height 26 of the base 20 may be about equal to the thickness ofthe slab of concrete 12 that is poured around the base 20. The height 26of the base 20 is in the range of 4 inches to 18 inches.

As discussed in greater detail herein, the space 29 between the uppersupport 22 and the lower support 24 is adapted to be filled with a massof concrete 12 (e.g., slab, pour) poured around the base 20 therebysecuring the base 20 to the mass of concrete 12. The rod 50 and base 20may be positioned to become part of a slab of concrete 12 when theconcrete 12 is poured around the rod 50 and the base 20. As the concreteis poured, the concrete 12 enters into the space 29 to surround the tube30 and to cover the lower support 24.

The upper surface of the upper support 22 is adapted to be level withthe upper surface of the mass of concrete 12 after the concrete 12 ispoured around the base 20. In an embodiment, the height 26 of the base20 is a thickness of a mass of concrete 12 poured around the base 20whereby the upper surface of the upper support 22 is level with theupper surface of the mass of concrete 12 and exposed from the mass ofconcrete 12. In other words, when the slab of concrete 12 is poured, theconcrete 12 does not cover the upper support 22 of the base 20. Theconcrete 12 comes up to and is finished level with the upper surface ofthe upper support 22. After the concrete 12 dries, the upper support 22is visible and accessible.

Because the upper support 22 is visible and accessible, the uppersupport 22 is adapted to connect to the bollard 14. In an exampleembodiment, the bollard 14 is welded to the upper support 22 of the base20 after the concrete 12 has been poured.

E. Set Screws: Adjusting Base Position and Leveling.

At various stages of installing the anchor system, the position of oneor more portions of the anchor system may be adjusted. Adjusting the oneor more portions of the anchor system may affect the position of thebollard 14 once attached.

For example, the inner diameter 36 of the tube 30 is greater than anouter diameter 68 of the rod 50, so after the rod 50 is inserted intothe ground 10 and the tube 30 lowered over the upper portion 58 of therod 50, the position of the base relative to the rod may be adjusted.For example, the base 20 may be moved until the rod 50 comes intocontact the inner surface of the tube 30, so the position of the base 20may be moved from side-to-side until movement of the base 20 is stoppedby contact of the rod 50 with the inner surface of the tube 30. Forexample, in the example embodiment discussed above, the tube 30 is a 1¼inch×1¼ inch square metal tube, while the rod 50 is a ⅝-inch rod. Afterthe thickness of the sides of the tube 30 are accounted for, the innerdimensions of the tube 30 are about 1″×1″, which means that the base 20may be moved between ⅜ inches (e.g., side-to-side) and about 25/32inches (e.g., corner-to-corner). In an example embodiment in which thetube 30 is a 2-inch×2-inch square tube and the rod 50 is a ⅝-inch roundrod, the base 20 may be moved between 1⅜ inches (e.g., side-to-side) andabout 2 inches (e.g., corner-to-corner).

The anchor system of the present disclosure may include one or more setscrews 38. The set screws 38 are adapted to threadably connect through aside of the tube 30 to contact the upper portion 58 of the rod 50positioned in the channel 34. The one or more set screws 38 are adaptedto maintain the position of the base 20 relative to the rod 50. So,after the tube 30 has been lowered over the upper portion 58 of the rod50 until the lower support 24 rests on the ground 10, the position ofthe base 20 may be adjusted (e.g., moved) relative to the rod 50. Oncethe position of the base 20 has been adjusted, the set screws 38 may beturned to bring the set screws into contact with the rod 50. Since theset screws 38 are located on each side of the tube 30 and may contacteach side of the rod 50, they can be screwed into the tube 30 and intocontact with the rod 50 to hold the tube 30 in the adjusted position.Some set screws 38 may need to be turned further into the tube 30 thanother set screws 38 to contact the rod 50 to hold the tube 30 in theadjusted position.

The set screws 38 may also be used to hold the upper support 22 of thebase 20 level. Once the tube 30 has been lowered over the upper portion58 of the rod 50 and the lower support 24 brought into contact with theground 10, the upper support 22 of the base 20 may not be level. If theupper support 22 to the base 20 is not level, the bollard 14 will not beplumb (e.g., vertical) when it is connected to the upper support 22. Asdiscussed above, because the inner diameter 36 of the tube 30 is greaterthan the outer diameter 68 of the rod 50, the base 20 may be moved(e.g., tilted) relative to the rod 50 which means that the base 20 maybe tilted, at least to a certain extent, so that the upper support 22 islevel. After the base 20 is positioned so that the upper support 22 islevel, the set screws 38 may be screwed (e.g., rotated) into contactwith the rod 50 to maintain the upper support 22 level.

The set screws 38 not only hold the position of the base 20 relative tothe rod 50 after adjustment, but the one or more set screws 38 furtherconnect the tube 30 to the rod 50. The set screws 38 may be used toconnect (e.g., secure) the tube 30 to the rod 50, and thereby the base20 to the rod 50, in addition to any other connection made between thetube 30 and/or the base 20 and the rod 50. So, the one or more setscrews 38 are adapted to threadably connect through a side of the tube30 to contact the upper portion 58 of the rod 50 positioned in thechannel 34. The one or more set screws 38 are adapted to maintain theposition the base 20 relative to the rod 50 and to further connect thetube 30 to the rod 50. The set screws 38 connect the tube 30 to the rod50 to secure the tube 30 to the rod 50 and thereby the base 20 to theground 10.

F. Prongs.

The base 20 may further include one or more prongs 40. Prongs 40 areadapted to connect (e.g., secure) the base 20 to the mass of concrete12. The prongs 40 are adapted to connect to the upper support 22, thelower support 24 and/or the tube 30. The prongs 40 are adapted to besurrounded by the concrete 12 as it is poured around the base 20.Preferably, the prong 40 is positioned below the lower surface of theupper support 22 so it does not stick out from the upper surface theconcrete 12 after it is poured. Preferably, the prong 40 is positionedabove the upper surface of the lower support 24 so it does not interferewith the lower support 24 resting on the ground 10 or leveling the base20. The prong 40 may be positioned in the space 29 between the uppersupport 22 and the lower support 24. The prong 40 may extend away fromthe base 20.

In an example embodiment, the base further includes at least one prong40 positioned at least partially in the space 29 between the uppersupport 22 and the lower support 24. The at least one prong 40 isconnected to at least one of the upper support 22, the tube 30 and thelower support 24. The prong 40 is adapted to be surrounded by a mass ofconcrete 12 to secure the base 20 to the mass of concrete 12.

The prong 40 may be formed of any material suitable for connecting tothe base 20 and the concrete 12. The prong 40 may have any shape. In anexample embodiment, the prong 40 is formed of ½ inch rebar and has ahook-like shape. A first end portion of the prong 40 is connected to alower surface of the upper support 22. The second end portion, whichincludes the hook-like shape, is positioned in the space 29 between theupper support 22 and the lower support 24 and extends slightly beyondthe outer perimeter of the upper support 22. In an example embodiment,the base 20 includes four prongs 40. In an example embodiment, the prong40 is welded to the upper support 22. In another example implementation,the prong 40 is connected between the lower surface of the upper support22 and upper surface of the lower support 24 to strengthen the uppersupport 22 and the lower support 24.

G. Operation of Preferred Embodiment.

In use, the anchor system is positioned, secured to the ground 10, theconcrete 12 is poured around the anchor system, and the bollard 14 isattached to the anchor system.

Installation of the anchor system may begin with determining a thicknessof the slab of concrete 12 to be poured. The height 26 of the base 20 ofthe anchor system selected for installation corresponds to the thicknessof the slab of concrete 12. The location for the installed bollard 14 isidentified. The rod 50 is inserted into the ground 10 to position thebase 20 at the location where the bollard 14 is to be installed. Ifusing an embodiment that does not include the helical member 70, the rod50 may be inserted into the ground 10 by pounding (e.g., using a hammer)on the upper end 62 of the rod 50 to drive the lower end 64 of the rod50 into the ground until the lower portion 59 is positioned in theground. If using an embodiment that includes the helical member 70, therod may be rotated to bore the helical member 70 and the rod 50 into theground 10. After the lower portion 59 of the rod 50 is inserted into theground 10, the upper portion 58 of the rod 50 extends from the ground 10and is positioned above the ground 10. Inserting the rod 50 into theground 10 secures the rod 50 to the ground 10.

After the rod 50 has been installed in the ground 10, the base 20 islifted up above the upper end 62 of the rod 50. The channel 34 of thetube 30 of the base 20 is aligned with the rod 50. The base 20 islowered so that the upper end 62 of the rod 50 enters the channel 34 ofthe tube 30. The base 20 is lowered until the lower support 24 of thebase 20 rests on the ground 10. While the lower support 24 of the base20 rests on the ground 10, the upper portion 58 of the rod 50 ispositioned in the channel 34. The upper end 62 of the rod 50 extendsabove the upper end 32 of the tube 30.

After the base 20 is positioned over the rod 50, the position of thebase 20 may be adjusted by moving the base 20 relative to the rod 50.The base 20 may also be leveled after positioning the base 20 over therod 50. After positioning and/or leveling the base 20, the base 20 maybe held in position and/or level by the set screws 38.

After positioning and/or leveling the base 20, the base 20 may becoupled to the rod 50. In a first embodiment, the rod 50 is connected tothe base 20 using the nut 54 and the washer 56. The hole of the washer56 is positioned around the rod 50 and lowered until the washer 56 comesinto contact with the upper end 32 of the tube 30. The diameter of thewasher 56 is greater than a diameter and/or outer perimeter of the upperend 32 of the tube 30. The nut 54 is adapted to threadably connect tothe upper end 62 of the rod 50. The nut 54 is rotated in a clockwisedirection to move the nut 54 down the threads on the upper end 62 of therod 50 until the nut 54 comes into contact with the washer 56. The nut54 is further rotated in the clockwise direction to tighten the nut 54against the washer 56. Because the lower portion 59 of the rod 50 issecured in the ground 10, tightening the nut 54 against the washer 56exerts a downward force on the upper end 32 of the tube 30. The downwardforce secures the base 20 to the rod 50 and to the ground 10. In asecond embodiment, the base 20 is connected to the rod 50 using the setscrews 38.

In a second embodiment, the anchor system is manufactured with the rod50 inserted through the tube 30. The rod 50 cannot be removed from thetube 30 because the helical member 70 and the grip 52 are too large tofit through the channel 34. The anchor system is installed bypositioning the lower end 64 of the rod 50 in the ground 10 and rotatingthe rod 50 to insert (e.g., drive) the lower portion 59 into the ground10. The rod 50 remains positioned in the channel 34 while it is rotated.As the rod 50 is rotated into the ground, the grip 52 draws closer tothe upper end 32 of the tube 30. The rod 50 is rotated until the grip 52is close to the upper end 32. Prior to rotating the rod 50 so that thegrip 52 is snug against the upper end 32, the set screws 38 may be usedto position and level the base 20. Once the grip 52 is applying adownward force on the upper end 32, the base 20 is secured to the ground10.

The anchor system is now prepared for installation of the concrete 12.The concrete 12 is poured in the area around the anchor system. Theconcrete 12 flows into the space 29 of the base 20. The concrete 12covers an upper surface of the lower support 24. The concrete 12 isfinished so that the upper surface of the concrete 12 is level with theupper surface of the upper support 22. As the concrete 12 is pouredaround the anchor system, the concrete 12 surrounds the tube 30 and theone or more prongs 40. As a concrete 12 dries, the concrete 12 hardensaround the tube 30, over the lower support 24 and around the prongs 40.The hardening of the concrete 12 around the base 20 secures the base 20to the concrete 12. As the concrete 12 is poured around the base 20, theconcrete cannot move the base 20 because base 20 is secured to theground 10 via its connection to the rod 50 and because the rod 50 issecured to the ground 10. Because the rod 50 securely holds the base 20in position, the concrete 12, as it is being poured, cannot lift (e.g.,float) the base upward out of position or move the base 20 horizontallyout of position. The base remains in the position where was anchored,which is at or near the desired position of the bollard 14.

After the concrete 12 has hardened, the bollard 14 may be installed. Thebollard 14 is installed by connecting the bollard 14 to the uppersurface of the upper support 22 of the base 20. The upper surface of theupper support 22 of the base 20 may need to be cleaned prior toconnecting the bollard 14 to it.

Preferably, the area of the upper surface of the upper support 22 isgreater than the cross-section area of the bollard 14. If the area ofthe upper surface of the upper support 22 is greater than thecross-section area of the bollard 14, then the position of the bollard14 may be adjusted prior to connecting the bollard 14 to the uppersupport 22. In an example embodiment, the upper support 22 is a circle12 inches in diameter and the bollard 14 is a cylinder having across-section diameter of 4 inches. Since the cross-section area of thebollard 14 is significantly less than the area of the upper support 22,the bollard 14 may be positioned anywhere in the area of the uppersupport 22 prior to welding the bollard 14 to the upper support 22. Forexample, the bollard 14 may be positioned close to one side of the uppersupport 22 or the bollard 14 may be moved 12 inches to the other side ofthe upper support 22. The bollard 14 may be positioned to cover the rod50, the nut 54 and the washer 56, which limits the amount its positionmay be adjusted to about 4″ in any direction.

After the bollard 14 is positioned relative to the upper support 22 ofthe base 20, the bollard 14 may be connected to the upper support 22 tosecure the bollard 14 to the anchor system. In an example embodiment,the bollard 14 is welded to the upper surface of the upper support 22 ofthe base 20. The weld 16 secures the bollard 14 to the upper support 22.In another example embodiment, the bollard 14 is connected to the anchorby threadably connecting the bollard 14 to the threads on the upper end62 of the rod 50. Connecting the bollard 14 to the threads of the upperend 62 of the rod 50 precludes adjusting the position of the bollard 14with respect to the area of the upper support 22 of the base 20.

Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used hereinhave the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill inthe art to which this invention belongs. Although methods and materialssimilar to or equivalent to those described herein can be used in thepractice or testing of the various embodiments of the presentdisclosure, suitable methods and materials are described above. Allpatent applications, patents, and printed publications cited herein areincorporated herein by reference in their entireties, except for anydefinitions, subject matter disclaimers or disavowals, and except to theextent that the incorporated material is inconsistent with the expressdisclosure herein, in which case the language in this disclosurecontrols. The various embodiments of the present disclosure may beembodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit oressential attributes thereof, and it is therefore desired that thevarious embodiments in the present disclosure be considered in allrespects as illustrative and not restrictive. Any headings utilizedwithin the description are for convenience only and have no legal orlimiting effect.

What is claimed is:
 1. An anchor system for a bollard comprising: a tubehaving a channel therethrough; an upper support connected to the tube; alower support connected to the tube, wherein the upper support and thelower support are positioned a distance apart from each other leaving aspace therebetween; a rod extending through the channel of the tube,wherein the rod is adapted to be partially inserted into a groundthereby positioning an upper portion of the rod above the ground and alower portion of the rod in the ground; and at least one prongpositioned at least partially in the space between the upper support andthe lower support, wherein the at least one prong is connected to atleast one of the upper support, the tube or the lower support, whereinthe at least one prong is adapted to be surrounded by a mass ofconcrete.
 2. The anchor system of claim 1, further comprising a helicalmember connected to the lower portion of the rod.
 3. The anchor systemof claim 1, further comprising a grip connected to the upper portion ofthe rod.
 4. The anchor system of claim 3, wherein the grip comprises anut threadably connected to the rod.
 5. The anchor system of claim 1,wherein the space between the upper support and the lower support isadapted to be filled with a mass of concrete.
 6. The anchor system ofclaim 1, wherein an upper surface of the upper support is adapted to belevel with an upper surface of a mass of concrete.
 7. The anchor systemof claim 1, further comprising at least one set screw threadablyconnected through a side of the tube, wherein the at least one set screwis adapted to contact the upper portion of the rod positioned in thechannel and connect the tube to the rod.
 8. The anchor system of claim1, further comprising a plurality of set screws threadably connectedthrough a side of the tube, wherein the plurality of set screws are eachadapted to contact the upper portion of the rod positioned in thechannel and connect the tube to the rod.
 9. The anchor system of claim1, wherein an inner diameter of the tube is greater than an outerdiameter of the rod.
 10. The anchor system of claim 1, wherein the uppersupport includes a planar upper surface.
 11. An anchor system for abollard comprising: a tube having a channel therethrough; an uppersupport connected to the tube; a lower support connected to the tube,wherein the upper support and the lower support are positioned adistance apart from each other leaving a space therebetween; a rodextending through the channel of the tube, wherein the rod is adapted tobe partially inserted into a ground thereby positioning an upper portionof the rod above the ground and a lower portion of the rod in theground; and a plurality of prongs positioned at least partially in thespace between the upper support and the lower support, wherein theplurality of prongs are each connected to at least one of the uppersupport, the tube or the lower support, wherein the plurality of prongsare adapted to be surrounded by a mass of concrete.
 12. The anchorsystem of claim 11, further comprising a helical member connected to thelower portion of the rod.
 13. The anchor system of claim 11, furthercomprising a grip connected to the upper portion of the rod.
 14. Theanchor system of claim 13, wherein the grip comprises a nut threadablyconnected to the rod.
 15. The anchor system of claim 11, wherein thespace between the upper support and the lower support is adapted to befilled with a mass of concrete.
 16. The anchor system of claim 11,wherein an upper surface of the upper support is adapted to be levelwith an upper surface of a mass of concrete.
 17. The anchor system ofclaim 11, further comprising at least one set screw threadably connectedthrough a side of the tube, wherein the at least one set screw isadapted to contact the upper portion of the rod positioned in thechannel and connect the tube to the rod.
 18. The anchor system of claim11, further comprising a plurality of set screws threadably connectedthrough a side of the tube, wherein the plurality of set screws are eachadapted to contact the upper portion of the rod positioned in thechannel and connect the tube to the rod.
 19. The anchor system of claim11, wherein an inner diameter of the tube is greater than an outerdiameter of the rod.
 20. An anchor system for a bollard comprising: atube having a channel therethrough; an upper support connected to thetube; a lower support connected to the tube, wherein the upper supportand the lower support are positioned a distance apart from each otherleaving a space therebetween, and wherein the space between the uppersupport and the lower support is adapted to be filled with a mass ofconcrete; a rod extending through the channel of the tube, wherein therod is adapted to be partially inserted into a ground therebypositioning an upper portion of the rod above the ground and a lowerportion of the rod in the ground, and wherein an inner diameter of thetube is greater than an outer diameter of the rod; a plurality of setscrews threadably connected through a side of the tube, wherein theplurality of set screws are each adapted to contact the upper portion ofthe rod positioned in the channel and connect the tube to the rod; and aplurality of prongs positioned at least partially in the space betweenthe upper support and the lower support, wherein the plurality of prongsare each connected to at least one of the upper support, the tube or thelower support, wherein the plurality of prongs are adapted to besurrounded by a mass of concrete.